Sweden’s Nature Pill for City Dwellers

Last summer we looked at kolonistuga, the garden and vacation colonies that dot Sweden and are occupied with tiny cottages. Like most great ideas in compact living, you know that Kirsten Dirksen‘s camera is not too far behind to take a more intimate look. The particular kolonistuga in this Faircompanies video is located between a bunch of freeways in Gothenburg, Sweden’s second largest city. Rather than being littered with vacation homes, most of the tiny structures are more like garden sheds (though one of the interviewees confesses her family has crashed out there on numerous occasions). The colony is intended as a supplement to urban living, which sometimes has an alienating effect on one’s connection to nature. This colony also has an intent close to its roots (pun intended) of growing food.

The kolonistuga idea is so great because accepts the ills of urban living–cramped quarters, noise, harried living, too little access to greenery and fresh air, etc–and creates a right sized, no frills pill to remedy the condition.

Aside from being sandwiched between freeways, it’s a very nice concept.

susan s.

They have these type of garden allotments with little cottages throughout Switzerland (Schrebergarten, or hobby garden)too. Just a chance to get away, decompress, get some fresh air, garden. There can be a long waiting list so you might have to wait until someone dies. Some of them are fully kitted-out with composting toilets and small stoves. You’re not allowed to live full time, but some people stay for a day or two. They’re like the original tiny house communities.

Amelie

I live in a Swedish city that boasts of having the most allotment gardens per person and they’re EVERYWHERE here. The most beautifully situated by the castle or on a small island, and the cheaper ones with a vista over farming land or the local hospital. I want one too, maybe this summer already?